3-dimensional flat panel display with built-in touch screen panel

ABSTRACT

A 3-dimensional (3D) flat panel display with a built-in touch screen panel includes a first substrate, a plurality of pixels on the first substrate, a plurality of first electrode patterns spaced apart from one another at a first predetermined interval along a first direction, the plurality of first electrode patterns for driving the plurality of pixels, a second substrate positioned to face the first substrate, and a plurality of barrier patterns formed on an outer surface of the second substrate and spaced apart from one another at a second predetermined interval along a second direction, intersecting the first direction. At least one of the plurality of first electrode patterns and at least one barrier pattern of the plurality of barrier patterns serve as electrodes for the built-in touch screen panel.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments relate to a flat panel display, and more particularly, to aflat panel display with a built-in touch screen panel, which displays astereoscopic image.

2. Description of the Related Art

A touch screen panel is an input device that allows a user's instructionto be input by selecting an instruction content displayed on a screen ofa display or the like with a user's hand or object.

To this end, the touch screen panel is formed on a front face of thedisplay to convert a contact position into an electrical signal. Here,the user's hand or object is directly in contact with the touch screenpanel at the contact position. Upon contact, the instruction contentselected at the contact position is input to the display. Since such atouch screen panel can be substituted for a separate input device, e.g.,a keyboard or mouse, use thereof has been increasing.

Touch screen panels include a resistive overlay touch screen panel, aphotosensitive touch screen panel, a capacitive touch screen panel, andthe like. The capacitive touch screen panel converts a contact positioninto an electrical signal by sensing a change in capacitance formedbetween a conductive sensing pattern and an adjacent sensing pattern,ground electrode, or the like when a user's hand or object is in contactwith the touch screen panel. Generally, such a touch screen panel isattached to an outer surface of a flat panel display such as a liquidcrystal display or organic light emitting display.

Recently, demands on a flat panel display for implementing 3-dimensional(3D) stereoscopic images have been considerably increased.

Generally, a stereoscopic image for expressing three dimensions dependson a stereo vision principle through two eyes. Here, a parallax of twoeyes, i.e., a binocular parallax due to a separation between eyes of atypical human, e.g., about 65 mm, is the most important factor of a 3Deffect. That is, when left and right eyes view correlated 2D images,respectively, the distinct 2D images are transmitted to the brain. Then,the brain combines the 2D images and reproduces the depth effect torealize a 3D image. Such a phenomenon is referred to as a stereography.

Several technologies for expressing 3D stereoscopic images using a 2Dscreen are available. On technology is a parallax barrier type 3Ddisplay, in which stereo images for left/right eyes are separatelyviewed to implement 3D images.

In the principle of displaying 3D stereoscopic images in a generalparallax barrier type 3D display, an observer's stereography is inducedby overlapping slit-shaped openings vertically arranged with respect toan observer on a 2D image in which image information for left/right eyesis displayed, so that a 3D image is viewed by the observer. To this end,the parallax barrier type 3D display requires a flat panel display fordisplaying 2D images and a separate barrier panel for formingslit-shaped openings.

In order to implement the aforementioned touch recognition andstereoscopic images, separate touch screen panel and a barrier panel areattached to outer surfaces of a flat panel display, respectively.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a 3D flat panel display with a built-intouch screen panel, includes a first substrate, a plurality of pixels onthe first substrate, a plurality of first electrode patterns spacedapart from one another at a first predetermined interval along a firstdirection, the plurality of first electrode patterns for driving theplurality of pixels, a second substrate positioned to face the firstsubstrate, and a plurality of barrier patterns formed on an outersurface of the second substrate and spaced apart from one another at asecond predetermined interval along a second direction, intersecting thefirst direction, wherein at least one of the plurality of firstelectrode patterns and at least one barrier pattern of the plurality ofbarrier patterns serve as electrodes for the built-in touch screenpanel.

The plurality of first electrode patterns may be formed on an innersurface of the second substrate.

The plurality of first electrode patterns may be formed on the outersurface of the second substrate.

An insulating layer may be between the first electrode patterns and thebarrier patterns.

The plurality of pixels may include left eye pixels that display imageinformation for a left eye and right eye pixels that display imageinformation for a right eye, the left eye pixels and the right eyepixels being alternately formed.

The plurality of barrier patterns and transmission regions between theplurality of barrier patterns may allow light respectively from thepixels for left and right eyes to be selectively shielded ortransmitted.

The built-in touch screen panel may be a capacitive touch screen panel.

The first electrode patterns may serve as driving electrodes of a mutualcapacitive touch screen panel and the at least one barrier pattern mayserve as sensing electrodes of the mutual capacitive touch screen panel.

A same voltage may be applied to the first electrode patterns during afirst frame period in which the flat panel display performs an operationof displaying a predetermined image, and a driving signal may besequentially applied to the first electrode patterns during a secondframe period in which the flat panel display performs touch recognition.

The first and second frame periods may be alternately repeated.

The first and second frame periods may not overlap.

The 3D flat panel display may further include a voltage application padconnected to each of the first electrode patterns and a voltagedetection pad connected to the at least one barrier pattern.

The voltage detection pad may be electrically connected to onlyindividual barrier patterns spaced apart further than the secondpredetermined interval or adjacent two or more barrier patterns spacedapart by the second predetermined interval.

The barrier patterns not connected to a voltage detection pad may beimplemented in a floating state or have a ground voltage appliedthereto.

The adjacent barrier patterns may be connected to the same voltagedetection pad so as to serve as one sensing electrode.

A width of each of the first electrode patterns at a portion thatintersects the barrier patterns connected to a voltage detection pad maybe adjusted to minimize an area of the portion of the first electrodepatterns intersecting the barrier patterns connected to a voltagedetection pad.

The width of the first electrode patterns at a portion intersectingbarrier patterns connected to a voltage detection pad may be narrowerthan a width of the first electrode patterns at a portion intersectingother barrier patterns.

All of the barrier patterns may serve as sensing electrodes for thebuilt-in touch screen panel.

The plurality of first electrode patterns may together serve as a commonelectrode during a display operation.

A width of the first electrode patterns at a region intersecting barrierpatterns serving as electrodes for the built in touch screen may benarrower than a width of the first electrode patterns at a regionintersecting other barrier patterns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view showing a region of a 3-dimensionalflat panel display with a built-in touch screen panel according to anembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view showing the structure of firstelectrode patterns and barrier patterns in the flat panel display shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A illustrates a sectional view of a sensing cell in the conditionof a normal state (no touch).

FIG. 3B illustrates a view schematically showing a sensed result basedon a driving signal applied to each sensing cell in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A illustrates a sectional view of a sensing cell in the conditionof a contact.

FIG. 4B illustrates a view schematically showing a sensed result basedon a driving signal applied to each sensing cell in FIG. 4A.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate plan views showing structures of firstelectrode patterns and barrier patterns according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0095243, filed on Sep. 30, 2010,in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “3-DimensionalFlat Panel Display with Built-in Touch Screen Panel” is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

In the following detailed description, only certain exemplaryembodiments have been shown and described, simply by way ofillustration. As those skilled in the art would realize, the describedembodiments may be modified in various different ways, all withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present inventive concept.Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not restrictive. In addition, when an elementis referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on theanother element or be indirectly on the another element with one or moreintervening elements interposed therebetween. Also, when an element isreferred to as being “connected to” another element, it can be directlyconnected to the another element or be indirectly connected to theanother element with one or more intervening elements interposedtherebetween. Hereinafter, like reference numerals refer to likeelements.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments,touch recognition and stereoscopic images are implemented using a liquidcrystal display (LCD). However, these details are provided only forillustrative purposes, and a flat panel display according to theembodiments is not limited to an LCD.

General Overview of LCD Operation

An LCD displays an image using light modulating properties of liquidcrystals. Liquid crystals have an elongated molecular structure andexhibit optical anisotropy in which the molecular arrangement of theliquid crystals is directionally oriented and a polarizing property inwhich the molecular arrangement direction of the liquid crystals ischanged according to a magnitude of an electric field across the liquidcrystals.

The liquid crystal panel is configured by joining a first substrate(array substrate) and a second substrate (color filter substrate)respectively having pixel electrodes and a common electrode, formed onsurfaces opposite to each other with a liquid crystal layer interposedtherebetween. The LCD is a non-luminescent device, i.e., needs a backlight for illumination. The LCD controls the arrangement direction ofliquid crystal molecules through a change in electric field between thepixel and common electrodes. By controlling the voltage applied acrossthe liquid crystal layer in each pixel, light can be allowed to passthrough in varying amounts thus constituting different gray levelsaccordingly.

Embodiments

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a region of a 3-dimensional flatpanel display with a built-in touch screen panel according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective viewshowing the structure of first electrode patterns and barrier patternsin the flat panel display shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a display 1, e.g., an LCD, includes a firstsubstrate 11, e.g., an array substrate, and a second substrate 61, e.g.,a color filter substrate facing one another with a display layer 90,e.g., a liquid crystal layer, therebetween. The lower first substrate 11may include a plurality of gate lines (not shown) and a plurality ofdata lines (not shown), which are vertically and horizontally arrangedto intersect each other on a front surface of the first substrate 11,i.e., between the first substrate 11 and the display layer 90. Pixelregions P may be formed at the intersections of the data and gate lines.For example, pixel regions P may include thin film transistors TFT atthe intersections of the gate and data lines, which, in turn, are to beconnected to pixel electrodes 50.

The thin film transistor TFT includes a gate electrode 15 connected tothe gate line (not shown), source/drain electrodes 33 and 35, and asemiconductor layer 23 formed between the gate electrode 15 and thesource/drain electrodes 33 and 35. The semiconductor layer 23 includesan active layer 23 a and an ohmic contact layer 23 b.

A gate insulating layer 20 is formed on the gate electrode 15. Aprotection layer 40 is formed on the source/drain electrodes 33 and 35.The drain electrode 35 is exposed through a contact hole 43 in theprotection layer 40. The pixel electrode 50 is formed on the protectionlayer 40 and is connected to the drain electrode 35 through the contacthole 43. The arrangement of liquid crystal molecules in the liquidcrystal layer 90 between the pixel electrode 50 and the first electrode70 is controlled in accordance with a voltage corresponding to thedifference between the voltages respectively applied to the pixelelectrode 50 and the first electrode 70, thereby displaying apredetermined image.

The upper second substrate 61 opposite to the first substrate 11includes a lattice-shaped black matrix 63 that surrounds each of thepixel regions P so as to cover a non-display region including the gatelines, the data lines, the thin film transistors, and the like. Theupper second substrate 61 may also include color filter patterns 66arranged to correspond to the respective pixel regions P in the interiorof the black matrix 63. The upper second substrate 61 may furtherinclude a first electrode 70 serving as a common electrode formed of atransparent conductive material beneath the color filter patterns 66.

In FIG. 1, the black matrix 63, the color filter patterns 66, and thefirst electrode 70 are formed on the rear surface of the secondsubstrate 61. However, the first electrode 70 may be formed on the firstsubstrate 11 rather than the second substrate 61 according to thedriving method of the LCD (e.g., an in-plane switching (IPS) method,fringe field switching (FFS) method, or the like).

An overcoat layer (not shown) may be further formed between the colorfilter patterns 66 and the first electrode 70. The color filter patterns66 may include red, green, and blue color filter patterns sequentiallyand repeatedly arranged.

More Detailed Overview of LCD Operation

The image display operation of the LCD having such a configuration willbe briefly described as follows.

First, if a gate signal is applied to the gate electrode 15 of the thinfilm transistor TFT formed in each of the pixel regions P, the activelayer 23 a is activated. Accordingly, the drain electrode 35 receives adata signal applied from a data line 30 connected to the sourceelectrode 33 through the source electrode 33 spaced apart from the drainelectrode 35 at a predetermined distance via the lower active layer 23a.

Since the drain electrode 35 is electrically connected to the pixelelectrode 50 through the contact hole 43, the voltage of the data signalis applied to the pixel electrode 50. The arrangement of liquid crystalmolecules in the liquid crystal layer 90 between the pixel electrode 50and the first electrode 70 is controlled in accordance with a voltagecorresponding to the difference between the voltages respectivelyapplied to the pixel electrode 50 and the first electrode 70, therebydisplaying a predetermined image.

Embodiments Continued

In order for the LCD according to this embodiment to display a3-dimensional (3D) stereoscopic image, the LCD includes a plurality ofbarrier patterns 80 a on a front surface of the second substrate 61,i.e., a surface of the second substrate 61 closest to a viewer.

The barrier patterns 80 a are arranged at a predetermined interval sothat light transmitted to a specific pixel reaches an observer's rightor left eye according to the arrangement of the pixels P. In thisinstance, the thickness of the second substrate 61 and the interval(transmission region (slit) 80 b) between the barrier patterns 80 a aredetermined based on the size of the liquid crystal panel and/or theobserver's distance (design value) from the liquid crystal panel. Thebarrier patterns 80 a are made of an opaque material, e.g., an opaquemetallic material, which prevents light from being transmitted therethrough.

Overview of Parallax

The principle that a 3D stereoscopic image is displayed by forming thebarrier patterns 80 a will be briefly described as follows.

In order to display the 3D stereoscopic image, the pixels P arranged inthe display panel include left eye pixels that display image informationfor left eye and right eye pixels that display image information forright eye. Here, the left eye pixels and the right eye pixels arealternately arranged in the display panel. When the display is anon-transmissive display, e.g., an LCD, a back light (not shown) isprovided to the bottom surface of the first substrate 11.

The plurality of barrier patterns 80 a arranged on the outer surface ofthe second substrate 61 and the transmission regions (slits) 80 b allowlight respectively from the pixels for left and right eyes to beselectively shielded or transmitted. Accordingly, light output from theleft eye pixel of the display panel approaches the observer's left eyevia the slit 80 b between the barrier patterns 80 a, and light outputfrom the right eye pixel of the display panel approaches the observer'sright eye via the slit 80 b between the barrier patterns 80 a.

Sufficient parallax information that can be adequately sensed by theobserver exists in an image displayed through the pixels for left andright eyes, so that the observer can recognize a 3D stereoscopic image.

Embodiments Continued

In this embodiment, unlike the conventional 3D flat panel display, aseparate panel having a barrier layer formed therein is not attached tothe display panel, but the barrier patterns 80 a are directly formed onthe front surface of the second substrate 61. Accordingly, the barrierpatterns 80 a are formed between the second substrate 61 and apolarizing plate 69 (shown in FIGS. 3A and 4A).

Thus, in this embodiment, a separate substrate or an adhesive layerhaving the substrate attached thereto is not formed between the barrierpatterns 80 a and the display layer 90, and hence the distance betweenthe barrier patterns 80 a and the display layer 90 is not changed. Sincethe number of interfaces that exist between the barrier patterns 80 aand the display layer 90 is smaller than that in the conventional 3Dflat panel display, it is possible to minimize the degradation of lightefficiency due to reflection or the like.

Additionally, in a conventional LCD, a common electrode is integrallyformed with a second substrate on the entire lower surface of the secondsubstrate to receive the same voltage, i.e., the common electrode is asingle electrode. However, in the LCD according to the embodiment shownin FIG. 2, the first electrode 70, which serves as the common electrode,is formed with a plurality of patterns 70 a separated from one another,so that the first electrode patterns 70 a and the barrier patterns 80 aare used as electrodes of a capacitive touch screen panel.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode 70 may be formedwith a plurality of patterns 70 a spaced apart from one another at apredetermined interval along a first direction (e.g., an X-axisdirection), and the barrier patterns 80 a may be spaced apart from oneanother at a predetermined interval along a second direction (e.g., aY-axis direction) that intersects the first direction.

The first electrode patterns 70 a may be formed of a transparentconductive material and the barrier patterns 80 a may be formed of anopaque metallic material. The color filter patterns 66 and the secondsubstrate 61 that serve as dielectric substances are formed between thefirst electrode patterns 70 a and the barrier patterns 80 a.

The first electrode patterns 70 a and the barrier patterns 80 a may beused as electrodes of the capacitive touch screen panel. As describedbelow, the first electrode patterns 70 are used as driving electrodesand the barrier patterns 80 a are used as sensing electrodes of thecapacitive touch screen panel. While these electrodes will be used asmutual capacitive electrodes below, embodiments are not necessarilylimited thereto. That is, the patterns may be used as self capacitiveelectrodes.

Mutual capacitances (C_(M)) between driving and sensing electrodes areformed at intersection points of the driving electrodes 70 a and thesensing electrodes 80 a, respectively. The intersection points, i.e., atwhich the mutual capacitances are formed, serve as sensing cells forimplementing touch recognition.

In a case where a driving signal is applied to the driving electrode 70a connected to each of the sensing cells, the mutual capacitancegenerated in each of the sensing cells generates a sensing signalsubjected to coupling to the sensing electrode 80 a connected to each ofthe sensing cells.

The driving signal is sequentially applied to the driving electrodes 70a during one frame period. Therefore, when the driving signal is appliedto any one of the driving electrodes, the other driving electrodesmaintain a ground state.

Thus, mutual capacitances are respectively formed at a plurality ofintersection points, i.e., sensing cells, where a plurality of sensinglines intersect the driving line to which the driving signal is applied.In a case where a finger or the like comes in contact with each of thesensing cells, a change in capacitance is generated in the correspondingsensing cell, and this change in capacitance is sensed.

Through the configuration described above, this embodiment can implementa display panel in which a mutual capacitive touch screen panel isbuilt-in.

The same voltage may be applied to the first electrode patterns 70 aduring a first frame period in which the LCD performs an operation fordisplaying an image, i.e., the first electrode patterns may 70 a maytogether serve as a common electrode during display operation, and adriving signal may be sequentially applied to the first electrodepatterns 70 a during a second frame period in which the LCD performstouch recognition. The first and second frame periods may not overlapwith each other. For example, the first and second frame periods may bealternately repeated.

Hereinafter, the operation of the mutual capacitive touch screen panelwill be described in a more detail.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view of a sensing cell in the condition of anormal state (no touch). FIG. 3B is a view schematically showing asensed result based on a driving signal applied to each sensing cell inFIG. 3A.

FIG. 3A is a sectional view showing a region (I-I′) of the perspectiveview shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3A, electric field lines 200illustrate mutual capacitances between the driving electrode 70 a andthe sensing electrode 80 a, separated from each other by a dielectric,e.g., the second substrate 61.

The driving electrode 70 a is one of the first electrode patternsseparated from one another as described above with reference to FIG. 2.The sensing electrode 80 a corresponds to the barrier pattern thatintersects the first electrode pattern 70 a.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 3A, the sensing electrode 80 a is formed on thefront surface of the second substrate 61, the polarizing plate 69 isformed on the sensing electrode 80 a, and the driving electrode 70 a isformed on a bottom surface of the second substrate 61.

A sensing cell 100 is defined at the point at which the driving andsensing electrodes 70 a and 80 a intersect. As shown in FIG. 3A, amutual capacitance C_(M) is formed between the driving and sensingelectrodes 70 a and 80 a, corresponding to the sensing cell 100.

The mutual capacitance C_(M) generated in each of the sensing cells 100is generated in a case where a driving signal is applied to the drivingelectrode 70 a connected to each of the sensing cells 100.

That is, referring to FIG. 3B, a driving signal (e.g., a voltage of 3V)is sequentially applied to each of the driving electrodes X1, X2, . . .and Xn. In a case where the driving signal is applied to any one of thedriving electrodes X1, X2, . . . and Xn, the other driving electrodesare maintained at a different voltage, e.g., at a ground state. In FIG.3B, the driving signal is applied to the first driving electrode X1.

Thus, mutual capacitances are respectively formed at a plurality ofintersection points by a plurality of sensing electrodes Y1 to Ym thatintersect the first driving electrode X1 to which the driving signal isapplied, i.e., sensing cells S11, S12, . . . and S1 m. Accordingly, avoltage (e.g., 0.3V) corresponding to the mutual capacitance is sensedby sensing electrodes Y1, Y2, . . . , Ym connected to each of thesensing cells to which the driving signal is applied.

FIG. 4A is a sectional view of a sensing cell that is being contacted,e.g., by a finger. FIG. 4B is a view schematically showing a sensedresult based on a driving signal applied to each sensing cell in FIG.4A.

Referring to FIG. 4A, if a low impedance object 150, e.g., a finger,contacts at least one sensing cell 100, an AC capacitance C₁ from thesensing electrode 80 a is provided to a human body. The human body has aself capacitance that is much greater than C₁, e.g., a self capacitanceof about 200 pF with respect to ground.

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, when the finger 150 is in contact, thedriving and sensing electrodes 70 a and 80 a are shielded, and theelectric field lines 210 are directed to ground through a capacitancepath through the finger 150 and the human body. As a result, the mutualcapacitance C_(M) in the normal state shown in FIG. 3A is decreased bythe C₁ (C_(M1)=C_(M)−C₁). This change in mutual capacitance in each ofthe sensing cells 100 changes the voltage provided to the sensingelectrode 80 a connected to the sensing cell 100.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a driving signal (e.g., a voltage of 3V) issequentially applied to each of the driving electrodes X1, X2, . . . andXn, so that mutual capacitances C_(M) are respectively formed in theplurality of sensing cells S11, S12, . . . and S1 m by the plurality ofsensing lines that intersect the first driving electrode X1 to which thedriving signal is applied. If one or more sensing cells (e.g., S12 andS1 m) are contacted by the finger 150, the mutual capacitance isdecreased (C_(M1)). Therefore, a decrease in voltage (e.g., 0.1V)corresponding to the decreased mutual capacitance is sensed by thesensing electrodes Y2 and Ym respectively connected to the contactedsensing cells S12 and S1 m.

Since the existing mutual capacitance C_(M) is maintained in the othersensing cells connected to the first driving electrode X1, but notcontacted by the finger 150, the existing voltage (e.g., 0.3V) is sensedby the sensing electrodes respectively connected to the other sensingcells. Thus, a precise touch position can be sensed through thedifference of voltages applied to the sensing electrodes.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are plan views showing structures of first electrodepatterns and barrier patterns according to embodiments. The embodimentsshown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are different from the embodiment shown in FIG.2 in that the barrier patterns 80 a do not all serve as sensingelectrode of the touch screen panel, but only some barrier patterns 80a′ of the plurality of barrier patterns 80 a are used as sensingelectrodes.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first electrodepatterns 70 a are formed on the same plane as the barrier patterns 80 aand 80 a′ so as to be used as driving and sensing electrodes of thetouch screen panel. In other words, the first electrode patterns 70 aare formed on the same surface, i.e., the upper surface, of the secondsubstrate 61 as the barrier patterns 80 a and 80 a′. In this case, asthe second substrate 61 no longer insulates the first electrode patterns70 a from the barrier patterns 80 a and 80 a′, an insulating layer (notshown) is formed between the first electrode patterns 70 a and thebarrier patterns 80 a and 80 a′.

Each of the barrier patterns 80 a, 80 a′ is generally disposed everyadjacent two pixels so as to implement a 3D stereoscopic image. Whenalso using the barrier patterns 80 a, 80 a′ as part of the touch screenpanel, this is disadvantageous, in that the interval between the barrierpatterns/sensing electrodes is narrow.

Accordingly, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, only the somebarrier patterns 80 a′ of the barrier patterns 80 a are used as sensingelectrodes. The other barrier patterns 80 a perform only a barrierfunction for implementing a 3D stereoscopic image.

In other words, voltage detection pads 82 are electrically connected therespective barrier patterns 80 a′ used as sensing electrodes, whileother barrier patterns 80 a are in a floating state. Therefore, novoltage or a ground voltage (GND) is applied to the other barrierpatterns 80 a.

Voltage application pads 84, which sequentially apply a driving signalto the first electrode patterns 70 a in response to a voltage, areindividually electrically connected to the first electrode patterns 70 aused as driving electrodes. As noted above, the voltage application pads84 may apply the same driving signal to the first electrode patterns 70a when in a display mode.

In this instance, each of the barrier patterns 80 a′ spaced apart fromone another at a predetermined interval may be used as the sensingelectrode as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5A, or adjacent two or morebarrier patterns 80 a′ spaced apart at a predetermined interval may beused as the sensing electrode as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5B. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 5B, the adjacent barrier patterns 80 a′ areconnected to the same voltage detection pad 82 so as to serve as onesensing electrode.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, widths d1 and d2 of the first electrodepatterns 70 a may be adjusted so that the area of the first electrodepatterns 70 a that intersects the barrier pattern 80 a′ is minimized. Inother words, the width d2 of the first electrode patterns 70 a at aportion intersecting barrier patterns 80 a′ is narrower than the widthd1 of the first electrode patterns 70 a at a portion intersecting otherbarrier patterns 80 a.

In the mutual capacitive touch screen panel, the width of the drivingelectrodes is minimized at an intersection portion of the sensing anddriving electrodes, so that touch sensitivity can be increased bydecreasing the capacitance (Cnode) generated at the intersectionportion.

In the conventional structure of the parallax barrier type 3D display,the touch screen panel and the barrier panel are attached to the outersurfaces of the flat panel display, respectively, and therefore, theentire thickness of the flat panel display is increased. Further, whenusing separate panels to realize the flat panel display, the touchscreen panel, and the barrier panel, a process of forming the touchscreen panel and the barrier panel is required separately from the flatpanel display. Therefore, processing time and cost are increased.

By way of summation and review, according to exemplary embodiments, a3-dimensional (3D) flat panel display with a built-in touch screen paneluses a plurality of first electrode patterns of the flat panel displayand a plurality of barrier patterns arranged on an outer surface of theflat panel display as electrodes of a capacitive touch screen panel.Thus, according to exemplary embodiments, a 3-dimensional (3D) flatpanel display with a built-in touch screen panel may be realized withoutan additional processes or substrate, allowing reduced cost and/orthickness. Further, according to exemplary embodiments, a reduced numberof optical interfaces may improve performance.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specificterms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation.Accordingly, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the artthat various changes in form and details may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A 3-dimensional (3D) flat panel display with a built-in touch screenpanel, comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of pixels on the firstsubstrate; a plurality of first electrode patterns spaced apart from oneanother at a first predetermined interval along a first direction, theplurality of first electrode patterns for driving the plurality ofpixels; a second substrate positioned to face the first substrate; and aplurality of barrier patterns formed on an outer surface of the secondsubstrate and spaced apart from one another at a second predeterminedinterval along a second direction, intersecting the first direction,wherein at least one of the plurality of first electrode patterns and atleast one barrier pattern of the plurality of barrier patterns serve aselectrodes for the built-in touch screen panel.
 2. The 3D flat paneldisplay as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first electrodepatterns is formed on an inner surface of the second substrate.
 3. The3D flat panel display as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality offirst electrode patterns is formed on the outer surface of the secondsubstrate.
 4. The 3D flat panel display as claimed in claim 3, furthercomprising an insulating layer between the first electrode patterns andthe barrier patterns.
 5. The 3D flat panel display as claimed in claim1, wherein the plurality of pixels comprises left eye pixels thatdisplay image information for a left eye and right eye pixels thatdisplay image information for a right eye, the left eye pixels and theright eye pixels being alternately formed.
 6. The 3D flat panel displayas claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of barrier patterns andtransmission regions between the plurality of barrier patterns allowlight respectively from the pixels for left and right eyes to beselectively shielded or transmitted.
 7. The 3D flat panel display asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the built-in touch screen panel is acapacitive touch screen panel.
 8. The 3D flat panel display as claimedin claim 7, wherein the first electrode patterns serve as drivingelectrodes of a mutual capacitive touch screen panel, and the at leastone barrier pattern serve as sensing electrodes of the mutual capacitivetouch screen panel.
 9. The 3D flat panel display as claimed in claim 1,wherein a same voltage is applied to the first electrode patterns duringa first frame period in which the flat panel display performs anoperation of displaying a predetermined image, and a driving signal issequentially applied to the first electrode patterns during a secondframe period in which the flat panel display performs touch recognition.10. The 3D flat panel display as claimed in claim 9, wherein the firstand second frame periods are alternately repeated.
 11. The 3D flat paneldisplay as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second frameperiods do not overlap.
 12. The 3D flat panel display as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising: a voltage application pad connected to eachof the first electrode patterns; and a voltage detection pad connectedto the at least one barrier pattern.
 13. The 3D flat panel display asclaimed in claim 12, wherein the voltage detection pad is electricallyconnected to only individual barrier patterns spaced apart further thanthe second predetermined interval or adjacent two or more barrierpatterns spaced apart by the second predetermined interval.
 14. The 3Dflat panel display as claimed in claim 13, wherein the barrier patternsnot connected to a voltage detection pad are implemented in a floatingstate or have a ground voltage applied thereto.
 15. The 3D flat paneldisplay as claimed in claim 13, wherein the adjacent barrier patternsare connected to the same voltage detection pad so as to serve as onesensing electrode.
 16. The 3D flat panel display as claimed in claim 13,wherein a width of each of the first electrode patterns at a portionthat intersects the barrier patterns connected to a voltage detectionpad is adjusted to minimize an area of the portion of the firstelectrode patterns intersecting the barrier patterns connected to avoltage detection pad.
 17. The 3D flat panel display as claimed in claim16, wherein the width of the first electrode patterns at a portionintersecting barrier patterns connected to a voltage detection pad isnarrower than a width of the first electrode patterns at a portionintersecting other barrier patterns.
 18. The 3D flat panel display asclaimed in claim 1, wherein all of the barrier patterns serve as sensingelectrodes for the built-in touch screen panel.
 19. The 3D flat paneldisplay as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of first electrodepatterns together serve as a common electrode during a displayoperation.
 20. The 3D flat panel display as claimed in claim 1, whereina width of the first electrode patterns at a region intersecting barrierpatterns serving as electrodes for the built in touch screen is narrowerthan a width of the first electrode patterns at a region intersectingother barrier patterns.